Thus Jutes, Saxons, Angles, and Danes, whom together we may call the
Anglo-Saxons,[1] laid the corner stone of the English nation. However
much that nation has changed since, it remains, nevertheless, in its
solid and fundamental qualities, what those peoples made it.
[1] Anglo-Saxons: Some authorities insist that this phrase means the
Saxons of England in distinction from those of the Continent. It is
used here, however, in the sense given by Professor Freeman, as a term
describing the people formed in England by the union of the Germanic
tribes which had settled in the island.
They gave first the language, simple strong, direct, and plain--the
familiar, everyday speech of the fireside and the street, the
well-known words of both the newspaper and the Bible.
Next they established the government in its main outlines as it still
exists; that is, a king, a legislative body representing the people,
and a judicial system embodying the germ, at least, of trial by jury
(S89).
Last, and best, they furnished conservative patience, persistent
effort, indomitable tenacity of purpose, and cool, determined
courage. These qualities have won glorious victories on both sides of
the Atlantic, not only in the conflicts of war, but in the contests of
peace, and who can doubt that they are destined to win still greater
ones in the future?
GENERAL REFERENCE SUMMARY OF THE SAXON, OR EARLY ENGLISH, PERIOD
(449-1066)
This section contains a summary of much of the preceding period, with
considerable additional matter. It is believed that teachers and
pupils may find it useful for reference on certain topics
(e.g. feudalism, etc.) which could not be conveniently treated in
detail in the history proper.
I. Government. II. Religion. III. Military Affairs. IV. Literature,
Learning, and Art. V. General Industry and Commerce. VI. Mode of
Life, Manners, and Customs